Juniors in a Fumble for this Following Week
The stressful Scheduling at Juab
Junior year is often considered the toughest year of high school. With college searching or job hunting, the ability to drive, college class sign-ups, and, worst of all, the ACT, the average junior is juggling countless responsibilities. Between homework, jobs, studying, and ensuring eligibility for sports, there’s a lot on their plate. As a sports motivated school, one that values its wins and medals, it’s important to set a strong example for the community. Traditions must be upheld, but this also comes with a heavy load of responsibilities. So, why did Juab High School think it was a good idea to schedule Junior Prom practice the same week as ACT prep week?
Junior Prom is scheduled for March 1st, and the ACT, or Junior Appreciation Day, is on March 11th. Many will argue that there’s plenty of time between these events and that it shouldn’t be as stressful as it seems. However, the reality is that teachers are doing everything they can to “jump those scores,” as our great leader, John Baylor, says.
Juab’s test scores are below average, leading to a poor outlook for the school and its teachers. Boosting scores would be a significant achievement, not only for the teachers and showing just how phenomenal they’ve always been, but also for the students considering college. The cost of college isn’t comedical, and impressive ACT scores could open the door to scholarships, reducing the financial burden. A good ACT score can make the difference between debt and qualification for many students.
Even for those who aren’t planning on attending college, showing a strong understanding of basic subjects is valuable to many employers. Whether a student plans to pursue a trade or enter the workforce directly, demonstrating proficiency in math, science (including reading and interpreting graphs), reading comprehension, proper grammar and punctuation can make a significant impact on their future career opportunities. Employers want employees who can prove they are capable of handling difficult tasks. The ability to study, work toward a goal, and achieve the best outcome is exactly what makes a good employee.
Studying for the ACT, achieving a high score, and proudly bragging that accomplishment can be incredibly helpful, even if students see it as just another boring test. So why take away time that could be spent helping students prepare for the ACT and replace it with more scheduling stress? Junior Prom is a tradition, as well as the tedious floor show, but the practice times often fall during core subject hours for juniors. Mrs. Settle isn’t able to assist her English classes and prepare her honors students. Mr. Samulson is rushing to cram as much information into students’ heads as quickly as possible. Mr. Morgan and Miss Nelson have several topics to reteach. Studying for a nationwide test doesn’t just take a week; it requires at least a month’s worth of preparation and learning.
Many students may not even fully understand what their score means. Here’s a hint: similar to our 1-4 grading scale, a 36 is equivalent to a 4 (100%), mid-20s and above is a 3, and below 20 is a 2. The average score for a sophomore, according to the state, is an 18. With less than 2 weeks to go, how can students raise their score from an 18 to at least a 25? And yet, they’re being asked to sacrifice valuable study time for dance practice. Tradition is important, but why not consider altering the schedule for future test-takers? Why not have the ACT in April? Why not schedule prom practice at the end of the day or early in the morning? There are solutions.
No one wants to be an inconvenience, but no student wants to fail either. Whether you see the ACT as a waste of time or you’ve been diligently retaking practice tests to track your progress, know that you’re doing great. There’s a lot going on right now, but you’re less than two months away from the relief of summer. Please, for Juab High School and all that we stand for, give it your best effort.